www.outdoorpowerequipment.com OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT NOVEMBER 2016 21
COVER
STORY
As a business owner and manager, I've learned to assign certain jobs
to certain people and follow up on them. Effi cient task organization
and accountability. That's helped a lot, through our management
changes and staff increases.
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best, how optimistic are you
about your dealership heading into 2017, and why?
9.
TIM STONE, PRESIDENT
STONE'S FARM SERVICE INC. (GREENSBURG, IND.)
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best, how has your dealership
fared in 2016, and why?
7
The wet weather was great for lawn equipment sales; L&G
service was overwhelmed all season with backlogs too long.
Ag sales were almost nonexistent with Ag service very strong.
What valuable lessons did you learn during 2016, and what do you
plan to do differently in 2017?
Expand L&G service capabilities.
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best, how optimistic are you
about your dealership heading into 2017, and why?
6. Commodity prices too low to stimulate sales.
TODD TAYLOR, DEALER PRINCIPAL
COUNTRY GARDENS (ROXBORO, N.C.)
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best, how has your dealership
fared in 2016, and why?
5
We were expecting growth, but it ended up being a down year
as far as whole goods sales went. I think it is due to the local
economy because a lot of business owners in the area have voiced
the same problems. We couldn't have asked for a better weather
pattern for the year, so for once, we can't blame it on the weather.
What valuable lessons did you learn during 2016, and what do you
plan to do differently in 2017?
New customers do not get special treatment for service even when
you're trying to earn their business. I plan to forecast sales better
with orders and inventory, but we all know no matter what mix you
order in, sales will go in the opposite direction.
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best, how optimistic are you
about your dealership heading into 2017, and why?
6. Customers are still fl ocking to box stores to buy inferior equipment
no matter how much we market. We have a good customer base that
continues to come to us, but we still lose a share of the market to
those who would rather fi ght for service and buy parts online.
